A preview of

"Amateur Radio - south of the Waitaki" - the CD

More than 80 years of amateur radio history

This project started as a printed publication, "A history of Otago Branch NZART", which was published in a less comprehensive form in 1993 to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Branch's foundation in 1928. Since that time the project has been on-going in computer format and has 'grown like Topsy' covering additional information and aspects of amateur radio history. It is a very comprehensive record of the early years of amateur radio in Otago and includes records up to the present time. Some of the early broadcast radio stations are mentioned as a number of these were either operated by or assisted by hams. The project has grown to encompass amateur radio activities in the greater ZL4 (southern region) including North, South and Central Otago, as well as Southland items. This necessitated a change of title to reflect its broader content.

Over 80 years of amateur radio history including



  • 1370+ pages.
  • 2080+ images.
  • 3600+ interlinked items.
  • 590+ ZL4 QSL cards scanned and indexed.
  • 260+ Personalities & Profiles.
  • Over 5 hours of sound files including interviews with early amateurs.
  • Otago YL amateurs.
  • Husband & wife teams.
  • Main and detailed indexes.
  • Separate indexes for all ZL4 Branches.
  • Dunedin West Branch - some history and what happened to it.
  • Annual reports from some of our Past Branch Presidents - includes photographs.
  • Callsign information, history of licensing, lists of ZL4 holders since 1923, schools & scout groups who have held licenses, special event calls held by the Branch, etc.
  • Chronological Record of significant amateur radio events.
  • Frank Bell, ZL4AA, is covered in some depth.
  • Map of Dunedin showing where early hams lived (1923-1946). Click a callsign on the map to get more information.
  • Past Officers - 1928 through to 2005.
  • QSL cards and shack photographs.
  • Reminiscences from some early hams, some of whom are now 'silent keys'.
  • Recorded audio interviews from some well known local hams, some now 'silent keys'.
  • Repeaters & Beacons - some history.
  • Trophies and Awards of Otago Branch - who donated them, and for what purpose.
  • and as they say "and much, much more........."
Click buttons at top for an brief look at the CD contents.
Note that actual links to CD content are NOT active
for the purpose of this introduction.

Enquiries via, e-mail alan@webs4u.co.nz.
Any additional information you may have is always appreciated.